Driver for a flat acoustic panel

Abstract

The invention concerns the embodiment of drivers for panel loudspeakers. Panel loudspeakers working according to the principle of bending waves are already known in prior art. Said loudspeakers generally consist of an acoustic panel ( 11 ) and at least one driver ( 12 ). As a general rule, the driver ( 12 ) is arranged on an auxiliary frame at a distance from the acoustic panel ( 11 ). Said embodiment makes it possible to use conventional drivers ( 12 ) that can also be utilized in cone loudspeakers. A series of problem arise when the drivers ( 12 ) are to be integrated on or into the acoustic panel ( 11 ) itself. Said embodiment requires inter alia that the different components of the driver ( 12 ) be directly mounted on the acoustic panel ( 12 ). Hence, the invention aims at providing a driver for panel loudspeakers that can be connected with little complications to the acoustic panel ( 11 ) as a pre-fabricated component. This is achieved by connecting the oscillation coil support ( 17 ) in the air gap ( 18 ) to the permanent magnet ( 15 ) and/or to magnetic return path device using an elastic membrane ( 23 ).

We claim:  
     
       1. Driver for a flat acoustic panel comprising 
       an oscillating coil support,  
       an oscillating coil attached to the oscillating coil support, at least one permanent magnet,  
       a short-circuit device connected to the at least one permanent magnet, wherein an air gap is formed between the short-circuit device and the permanent magnet and the oscillating coil support with the oscillating coil projects into the air gap, and  
       an elastic membrane connecting the oscillating coil support with at least one of the permanent magnet and the short-circuit device,  
       wherein a bottom portion of the short-circuit device facing away from the permanent magnet is provided with an armature plate and connected through the armature plate with the acoustic panel.  
     
     
       2. Driver according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein the oscillating coil support is formed as a coaxial cylinder and includes a bottom portion and an edge portion.  
     
     
       3. Driver according to  claim 2 , 
       wherein the bottom portion of the oscillating coil support is connected with the acoustic panel.  
     
     
       4. Driver according to  claim 3 , 
       wherein the bottom portion has a diameter that is smaller than or equal to a diameter of the edge portion of the oscillating coil support.  
     
     
       5. Driver according to  claim 2 , 
       wherein the bottom is formed as a piezoelectric bending wave disk.  
     
     
       6. Driver according to 
         claim 2 , wherein the edge portion of the oscillating coil support includes a region with a reduced wall thickness, and  
       wherein the oscillating coil is connected with the oscillating coil support in the region having the reduced wall thickness.  
     
     
       7. Driver according to  claim 3 , further including a plate disposed between the bottom portion and the acoustic panel, wherein the plate has a diameter that is smaller than or equal to a diameter of the edge portion of the oscillating coil support. 
     
     
       8. Driver according to  claim 7 , wherein the plate is formed as a piezoelectric bending wave disk.